July 2007

Got game?

By Carlienne A. Frisch

As the cocooning trend in America continues, families look for new activities to enjoy at home. The pleasure of family rooms and basement activity centers is being augmented by backyard fun spaces that go beyond swimming pools and hot tubs. Homeowners ahead of the trend have found that activities need not be limited to fair-weather sports. Multi-purpose sport courts offer opportunities for outdoor play, regardless of the season, as do putting greens. Here’s a look at just a few possibilities.

The Trend: Sport courts.

Craig Jones, a Burnsville Sport Court International distributor, has seen a 50 percent increase in sport court sales over the past five years. “A sport court is so versatile that it can be described as a sports patio,” he says. “You can play many sports, including basketball, volleyball, roller hockey, paddle tennis, short court tennis, badminton, shuffleboard and hopscotch on a 30-foot by 50-foot game court. And the court can be converted to an ice rink in winter.”

Retired basketball coach Mike Paukert (who spent nine years as assistant coach at RCTC) designed a cement court for his business, Skillful Player (which offers personal basketball training sessions and skill clinics). The half-moon shaped full half court was installed last fall in Paukert’s Rochester backyard. Although Paukert offers private basketball shooting lessons, his family also enjoys the court.” My grandchildren ride their bicycles and toy scooters on it,” he says.
 
What To Look For: “Consider the longevity of the company before contracting sport court construction and carefully examine warranties,” Jones advises.

What To Avoid: “Concrete installed incorrectly is very difficult to remove,” Jones warns. Paukert advises, “Don’t make the court too small. You can work with independent contractors for more options and make it fit a space.”

What You’ll Pay: Jones quotes $14-16 per square foot installed.

The Trend: Backyard putting greens.

The demand for backyard putting greens nearly doubled in 2006 over the previous year, according to Bruce Simmons, a Southwest Greens of Minnesota franchisee in Mankato. “I think it’s just people’s awareness of the product and of the distributors,” he says. Rochester resident Greg Kapraun, who is part of the trend, had two tiered greens, a sand trap and eight cups installed two years ago. “We use it three or four times a week from April through October, and the kids use it daily,” he says. “On mild winter days, we shovel as needed and we putt away.” 

What To Look For: “Decide on the emphasis before construction,” Simmons advises. “You need to pre-plan the green, the setting and what you want for holes. If you’re just putting, there’s no need for it to be as elaborate as a green. Ask a company for references, take a look at a few greens the company has installed and hit a few shots on them.”

What To Avoid: Don’t get the wrong kind of turf, Kapraun advises. “My big decision was whether I wanted natural or artificial turf,” he says. “I wanted a sand trap and chipping pad, so I went with artificial. Also, natural cover can migrate to other grassy areas.”

What You’ll Pay: Simmons quotes $14-20 per square foot.

The Trend: Outdoor pool tables.

Outdoor pool tables are popular in warmer climates, but Miles Pheneger, manager of Family Fun Center in Rochester, expects the trend to pick up here because of growing interest in backyard recreation.  

What To Look For: A table made of all synthetic materials will withstand winter weather. Pheneger advises, “Be aware, though, that you give up a bit of performance on outdoor pool tables because the slate and cloth are both synthetic. Use a heavy-duty vinyl cover similar to a hot-tub or spa cover.”
what to avoid: “Avoid a table with any wood,” Pheneger says. “It will decay.”

What You’ll Pay: $3,200-6,200 at Family Fun Center.